Alts (AKA alternate accounts) exist in pretty much every online and offline service, from Second Life to Social Security. Usually, identifying an online alt is just a little bit easier than identifying an offline alt.

You may recall that – not too long ago – some Facebook users have had their accounts hijacked by scammers. The scammers then pretended to be that person, stuck in London without means after a mugging. The scammers used this to divert funds from friends and family.